Ashvale

Claire felt just as unclear on what she'd seen after a nap, dinner, and a full night of sleep. If anything, she felt even more unclear. Taylynn had stressed the same warning as Lixiss, that she shouldn't speak of what she'd seen. Anything the King Tree showed her was a gift to her alone. But that hadn't stopped Taylynn from asking broad questions, like whether or not she'd found a way to reclaim the weapon she would need to defeat Kane. Queen Isabella's long lost quarterstaff.

The short of it was no.

She really had no idea what she needed to do. Trust the King Tree to be vague. Taylynn hadn't seemed surprised in the slightest. But it was an utter disappointment.

By the time they departed Ashvale the next morning, a permanent scowl had taken up residence on her face. She hadn't gained any of the answers she'd hoped she would find. Wait. That wasn't exactly true. A slight smile threatened to ruin her perfect frown. She had learned something, hadn't she? But not about her own life.

Koldis walked beside her in thoughtful silence. Since his big revelation, he'd been particularly sweet to Princess Taylynn. At first, she hadn't known what to make of it, especially given the way their conversation had ended. But it got strange after that. First, he'd offered to take Taylynn's dishes after dinner, then he'd fluffed a pouf for her beside the fire, and from there, he attended to her with the utmost care—all of which Taylynn scathingly refused. It wasn't until they'd set off for Esterpine when Koldis's offered Taylynn the use of his arm, that Claire saw what he was truly doing.

"I am perfectly capable of managing on my own, Drengr," Taylynn snapped, glaring at him. "I've been walking this forest since before you were born."

Koldis had flashed Claire a wicked grin over his shoulder, eyes glittering with satisfaction. "Of course, Princess," he'd said. "As you wish."

He'd then dropped back to walk beside her.

He'd been doing it—all of it—to irritate Taylynn and continuously remind her of the bond that existed between them. It was rather genius, really. Especially since it appeared to achieve the exact results Koldis hoped for.

As Ashvale faded behind them, swallowed up by the forest, they found themselves traveling a path not unlike the one that had brought them. It would be little over a two day journey back to Esterpine, which would put Claire back nearly a week after she'd left. She would certainly surprise everyone waltzing in covered in more markings than she'd departed with. She wondered how Lord Marquin would take it.

***

Their journey went quickly. The first day passed in a blur. Koldis maintained his sickeningly sweet self. He offered Taylynn food from his own pack, offered to gather dried wood in her stead—for which Feowen created a roaring green fire—and he insisted she sleep on the fluffiest swath of moss when they located a clearing to make camp. She glared at him, ignored him, and yet, he still persisted. When they settled for the evening, Feowen and Jeanine practiced sparring while Taylynn coached Claire with magic. Koldis comfortably sat against a tree where he could watch.

The following day was much the same. With each step, Claire could feel Esterpine looming closer, like a beacon in her chest, thrumming to the same pace as her heart. Her forest tear at her neck seemed to know too. She could feel its pulse against her skin.

"How do you think our king is managing in the capital?" Koldis asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between everyone. The forest itself was anything but: There was the usual cacophony of chirping birds, buzzing insects, and rustling leaves. "Do you think they've found a way to reclaim Squall's End?"

"They would be careless to try," came Taylynn's sing-song voice from the back of the group. She'd fallen behind early that morning, allowing Claire and Koldis to lead—probably to put as much distance between them as possible. Between her and Koldis.

"Of course, Princess," Koldis answered, putting a hand over his heart and walking backwards for several paces to see her more clearly. To Claire, he added, "I certainly hope he doesn't exclude me from the battle."

"I should think not," she mused. "But who can say? He hasn't mentioned much about it in his letters." However, Taylynn's statement had her thinking more deeply on the matter. King Talon was anything but careless.

"I hate not knowing how things stand," he muttered. "What is Kane up to these days? Has anything more happened in our absence?"

"You're not the only one. It bothers me too. The not knowing is hard. It's—" She faltered, then stopped. Around them, the forest had gone absolutely silent. Chills raced down her spine.

Behind her, the others stopped too.

"Taylynn?" she whispered.

"I sense it too," came the princess's answer. Taylynn pushed through Feowen and Jeanine to the front of their group where she surveyed the path ahead. Claire caught a brief glimpse of her frown.

"Is it the black—?"

"Quiet, Koldis."

"Excuse me, Princess. I apologize for wanting to know what—"

"I said, Shield, be quiet....Please." This time she glanced back at him and her worried expression silenced him. Claire linked her arm through Koldis's and they shared a long, silent look.

"We must proceed with caution. I cannot see the way ahead. It could be that the forest has directed us on a path that will take us through its sickness."

"It would certainly do that," Claire mused, remembering her own experience all too well. "But why?"

"In hopes that we might help heal a patch, of course. That is sometimes the case. Be on guard."

Koldis stiffened on Claire's arm. "Taylynn," he hissed. "Taylynn, it's a—"

A crash of the undergrowth nearby forced them into silence. A painful wail split the air. The sound of metal scraping against metal. Taylynn rounded on Koldis, a question on her face.

"—an animal," he finished. "Something large. I cannot say exactly what. Larger creatures are more concrete for me." He jerked his head towards his right. "It's coming this way."

Taylynn gave him a brief nod. "The rest of you continue on down the path. I'll take care of it."

Claire hesitated, so did Koldis. Feowen and Jeanine stepped around them, plenty happy to leave. "You heard my sister," Feowen added. "Probably not a good idea to disobey."

Koldis snorted. It was drowned out by another screech. "Speak for yourself, Prince. As if I would leave my—"

"Koldis!" Taylynn snarled, cutting him off from the secret he'd been about to reveal.

He froze. His throat bobbed.

"Please," she added, her tone softening. She squared her shoulders, looking much taller than normal. "I am well equipped to deal with this. Carry on. I will catch up with you by nightfall. If not, continue on in the morning. You should reach Esterpine shortly thereafter. Claire and my brother can lead you there." She hesitated. "Please."

They shared a long look in the silence that followed. Some sort of silent communication with their eyes. At last, Koldis nodded, giving Claire's arm a tug. "Come, my queen. Let us continue on our path."

Claire looked back over her shoulder once more to see Taylynn disappear from sight as the forest swallowed her up. With each step, the distance increased; she strained to hear what might be happening behind her. The path no longer existed behind them, as if it had never been—as if Taylynn had never been.

Koldis was silent after that, his lips pressed into a thin line. They managed to get thinner as the day wore on. Thinner when Taylynn didn't appear. Claire did her best to keep the mood light and pretended to ignore his tension. He wouldn't admit it for anything, that the loss of Taylynn's presence bothered him.

Hours later when they stopped for the night, they ate a rushed meal around a small fire of green flames. Koldis wasn't in the mood to spar, and frankly, neither was she, so Claire watched Jeanine and Feowen while he paced. Every snapping twig left him jumpy, glancing around the small clearing they nested in.

Koldis should have known better. Known that none of the snapping twigs would be his mate. Known that Taylynn wouldn't make a sound. She knew the forest better than anything. It was upon silent feet that she emerged, sneaking into the clearing to regard them as if she'd been there the whole time. The moment he spotted her, his shoulders dropped, but he said nothing. Instead, he went over and sat against a tree with his arms crossed, brooding.

"It was a bear," Taylynn answered, meeting the question in their gazes. "Contaminated like the stag you saw, Claire. I healed it and sent it on its way, but not after a fair bit of protesting on its part."

"I didn't think the creatures enjoyed being sick," Claire said.

"They don't, but the sickness has a way of infecting them. Never mind that now, she is fine. A sow. I do not think she had any cubs at the moment, so all should be well."

"You are unharmed?" Feowen asked, going to stand before his sister, inspecting her.

"I am fine, brother. You worry overmuch, as usual."

Feowen nodded and went to sit by the fire.

Claire didn't miss the way Taylynn's eyes flicked to Koldis, who still hadn't said anything, before she too took a seat. Several minutes passed in silence before Koldis sighed, stood to rummage in his pack, and walked to Taylynn. "Here. You should eat." He handed her a cloth bundle, what was left of his rations of bread and dried fruit from the cottage. She took it without protest and set about eating, otherwise ignoring him. He came to sit beside Claire. She didn't miss the tension in the set of his jaw.

***

Esterpine looked the same as it always did when Claire returned. Shortly before reaching the city, Taylynn had gathered the others and bid her goodbye. She needed to arrive alone, after all. They'd set out on a different, roundabout path, that would see them into the city elsewhere. Claire had dallied, giving them enough time.

When she emerged through the city gates, she wore the same thing she'd left with. She traipsed through the city, head held high, straight to the palace. Queen Jade was lounging in the gardens with a group of friends. The queen noticed her from afar, just as Claire reached the palace stairs. The queen stood and rushed over, eyes searching, unable to see much beneath the conservative clothing Claire had on.

"You have returned safely," the queen said, as if she expected anything otherwise. She leaned in and kissed her on each cheek, holding her arms. "I am glad to see you well, my dear. Your journey was a success then? You look as if you are more sure of yourself." She held Claire at arm's length while her friends slowly gathered around her. Rather than reply, she allowed the queen her fussing—or the appearance thereof. "Ah yes, this looks like a mark here." Jade tipped the edge of Claire's neckline down to reveal a glimpse of a mark she'd already had before departing a week prior. "A definite success then, good. You must be tired. I will let you retire but hope to see you at the evening meal tonight." The queen's attendants also nodded in agreement.

"Lady Claire," came Koldis's voice from the top of the palace stairs. She heaved a quiet sigh. He rapidly descended and scooped her up in his arms for a bear hug, successfully rescuing her from the queen's fussing. "It is good to see you home safely. Come, you must be tired." He ushered her away giving her little more than an opportunity to nod farewell to the queen and her attendants.

In her chambers, she went straight for a bath. Afterward, there were other pairs waiting within her suite, eager to see her after her week-long disappearance. She greeted them each by name, answered questions, and then slipped quietly out of the palace.

Her feet took her down a well worn path to a familiar cottage. The sight of it put a smile on her face. Or perhaps it was sight of the stooped Sprite as he tended his garden. "You are back, I see." He did not stand to greet her. "And did you find answers to the questions you seek?"

"I...not really." She watched his back. "The King Tree showed me plenty, but I'm not sure what to make of any of it. Perhaps you can—?"

"Not in the slightest, girl. Varti yifah! Keep your enlightenment to yourself," he snapped.

She huffed a laugh. "Enlightenment my ass." Her eyes widened and she flung a hand over her mouth, then snorted. "Forgive me, Kenya. I had not meant to be rude."

"Rude? I cannot say what donkeys have to do with rudeness, but I suppose the analogy is there."

She chuckled. It was impossible to deny the affect Dragonwall's old fashioned way of life had enacted upon her. She felt more and more of her language changing, her accent, her behavior. "Gods, I hope I'm not turning into a prude," she muttered, mostly to herself.

She got on her knees beside Pelwyn and began deadheading the flower bush next to the one he worked on. They worked in silence for over an hour. It felt good, using her hands, allowing her mind to simply drift. She understood why Pelwyn appreciated tending such a large and vibrat garden, continuously breathing life into the flowers and vines.

"We will resume our lessons tomorrow, I think," he said at last, coming to his feet.

"Yes, I think that is best." She stood and brushed off her hands. The evening was approaching and she wanted to change into something more revealing before dinner. The urge to show off her many marks burned in her chest.

Pelwyn watched her, his eyes narrowing. "Your time here is nearly at an end, Elam. A few weeks, perhaps a month more. You are eager to return to the capital, yes?"

"I...yes, I suppose." She glanced around the garden, letting her eyes linger over everything. "But only once I have learned all that I need to defeat Kane."

"Defeat Kane?! Silly child. There is no guarantee that you will gain all you need here in the forest." She opened her mouth— "I can teach you all I know of magic, yes. How it works. How it behaves. How to use it. The rest is up to you. Magic is a life-long journey. You cannot simply learn and master it in a few months and call it done. Think of how boring life would be if you peaked now and spent the rest of your years stagnant."

She ground her teeth together. "I don't have a lifetime, Kenya. You know that."

"Yes. Yes. Well, begone. Think on what I have said. I will see you tomorrow." That was the only goodbye he gave as he shuffled back into his cottage and closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in the waning forest light.

She turned and found the path that would lead her back into Esterpine in time for dinner. As she walked, she squashed the seeds of doubt planted deep in the soil of her chest. She wouldn't allow a single one to take root.

Pelwyn had been an answer to a problem she almost thought unsolvable. She refused to believe otherwise. What she'd learned from him was more than Lord Marquin or the forest could have taught her. But perhaps he was right, perhaps there was only so much to be gained in education. The rest was life experience—things she'd have to gain on her own. Which meant she might not be ready immediately after leaving the forest. But how long could she wait? How long could she allow an Unbreakable Promise to go unanswered? She refused to make Kane a life-long fight. No. She would find a way. And it started with getting that damned quarterstaff she'd seen. But how?

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Hello and happy Friday bookdragons! 

This chapter was a little on the shorter side, but since I switch POVs in the next chapter of Claire's sequence I didn't want to draw it out. That being said, I am unable at this time to tell you which chapter will be next week because I'm on the fence in the timeline. I believe it will be Mikkin, since there's some work to be done along the Great Stone Road with the Dwargs. Work that will take him to Port Ice...in fact, right around the time Captain Bennett reaches that very same port with the infamous Cat. 

dun dun dun...

I'm hoping to write both of these chapters this weekend. I'm quite excited for two of my seemingly VERY separate characters to finally meet! Brining two storylines together after three books is WOW for me. I love weaving. It's so much fun. I've already got the tavern scene built up in my head, where Mikkin and Bennett cross paths. Two people who know absolutely nothing about each other. But not us, eh? We certainly know exactly who each of them is, and what role each of them has played in the greater picture, no?? 

Something tells me that when they meet, they will have no idea how small their world really is, and how connected they are to Dragonwall's story.

In other news, i'm doing well. I'm keeping VERY busy. My poor hand still isn't at 100%. I'm wondering if it's nerve pain that's taking a little longer. It tinges every day, here and there. Nothing super painful, but just enough for me to be aware of it. Oh well. These things take time!

Until next Friday. Have a great weekend and a great week!

-Mel